Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this issue. It relates to the newly established Carpenterstown Educate Together national school. It is in Carpenterstown, of which I am a resident, but affects the broader area of Porterstown. The Minister will be familiar with the area where there were two schools, St. Patrick's in Diswellstown and St. Mochta's in Clonsilla. Last year in an emergency scenario the Department had to establish a new school, Scoil Choilm, which operates in temporary premises in Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. That school will be moved to the Porterstown area and a planning application has been submitted. I recognise that and, although it is belated, I recognise the work the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, have done on this.

However, it is clear that there will very soon be a requirement for a fourth school. The three schools, Scoil Choilm, St. Mochta's and St. Patrick's, have 11 classes. Land is already zoned for the provision of at least another 1,100 houses in that area at Diswellstown and Porterstown and a proposal is very soon to be put forward for the zoning of a similar amount of land.

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